The stars descend on Marchwood

Together under one roof for the first time in years, the cream of the south coast gathered at Cue T’s Snooker Lounge, Marchwood, for the Easter Monday Tournament.

A staggering six England internationals from south Hampshire made the trip: Mike Finn, Alex Dunkley, Nick Jennings, Billy Castle, Shane Castle and Adam Bobat.

Between them, they had won Southampton’s Town Championship in six of the last seven years; The Mighty Finn (2009, 2011 and 2012), Jennings (2010), Dunkley (2007) and Nash (2006).

On the international front, Jennings was a beaten semi-finalist at the 2010 European Under-19 Championship and Shane Castle was European Under-21 runner-up this year.

Jordan Winbourne was the only big name missing. The lure of Saints’ game at Crystal Palace proved too strong for the 16-year-old from Hedge End.

The south’s finest have competed against each other at the Pontins festivals in North Wales and in regional and national competitions across the land.

And they continue to play alongside or against each other in the Southampton and Winchester leagues.

No wonder many experts agree that the standard of snooker in the Southampton area is at an all-time high.

But sadly, the standard of their darts leaves a lot to be desired.

In breaks between attempting to knock chunks out of each other on the green baize at Cue T’s, the lads toed the oche and flung their arrows – although they might have got more success if it had been the other way round.

For the record, cousins Billy and Shane Castle scooped the entire prize fund. They split the £210 pot and Billy pocketed £35 for the highest break of exactly 100.

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